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Community and Civil Society Engagement (CCSE) Pilot for Lenacapavir 2026 — Sub-Saharan Africa

Unitaid — implemented in partnership with Wits RHI, University of the Witwatersrand, and the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI)

Unitaid is funding a Community and Civil Society Engagement Pilot to strengthen the role of communities and civil society organisations in the introduction and scale-up of lenacapavir, a long-acting HIV prevention option. Eligible organisations in participating Sub-Saharan African countries can submit short Expressions of Interest for community-led approaches involving prevention literacy, advocacy, accountability, engagement, demand generation and equitable access. A total pilot funding envelope of up to US$200,000 may be shared among multiple selected organisations.

Who can apply

  • Community-based organisations (CBOs)
  • Civil society organisations (CSOs)
  • Networks
  • Coalitions
  • Intermediary organisations
  • Legally registered or formally recognised organisations
  • Organisations with strong and meaningful relationships with the communities they serve
  • Organisations accountable to communities affected by HIV
  • Organisations operating in a Sub-Saharan African country that has introduced lenacapavir or confirmed plans for national introduction in the near future
  • Organisations with experience in community engagement, advocacy, accountability, HIV prevention, sexual and reproductive health or related health fields
  • Grassroots organisations with practical and innovative community-led approaches are encouraged

Focus areas

  • HIV prevention
  • Lenacapavir introduction and uptake
  • Community-led health action
  • HIV prevention literacy
  • Community engagement
  • Demand generation
  • Health advocacy
  • Community accountability
  • Sexual and reproductive health and rights
  • Equitable access to new health technologies
  • Community trust and awareness
  • Identification of barriers to HIV prevention services
  • Amplifying the voices of populations most affected by HIV
  • Community participation in health programmes and decision-making

Requirements

  • Applicant must be legally registered or formally recognised
  • Applicant must fall within an eligible CBO, CSO, network, coalition or intermediary organisation category
  • Applicant must have strong relationships with and accountability to the communities it serves
  • Applicant must operate in an eligible Sub-Saharan African country introducing or preparing to introduce lenacapavir through national programmes
  • Applicant must demonstrate relevant experience in community engagement, advocacy, accountability, HIV prevention, SRHR or related health fields
  • Proposed activities should contribute to equitable lenacapavir introduction and uptake
  • The proposed approach should demonstrate meaningful community leadership and participation
  • Stage 1 applicants must complete the official Expression of Interest document
  • Shortlisted organisations must be prepared to complete a more detailed Concept Note at Stage 2
  • Per-organisation funding ceiling: Not officially specified
  • Co-funding requirement: Not officially specified

Application steps

  • Review the official CCSE Pilot Applicant Guidelines and confirm organisational and country eligibility
  • Download and complete the official Expression of Interest document
  • Describe the community served, relevant organisational experience and the proposed community-led approach to supporting equitable lenacapavir introduction
  • Ensure the proposal clearly addresses areas such as prevention literacy, community engagement, advocacy, accountability, demand generation or access barriers
  • Follow the submission instructions provided in the official EOI document and submit before 28 August 2026 at 23:59 SAST
  • If shortlisted, complete the invitation-only Concept Note using the additional templates and guidance supplied by the programme
Global Grants Hub strategic note

This is particularly relevant to grassroots and community-led organisations because the pilot is deliberately testing ways to resource community and civil society actors directly and reduce barriers to accessing health-innovation funding. Applicants do not have to be specialist HIV-service providers: the official criteria also recognise experience in community engagement, advocacy, accountability, SRHR and related health fields. The US$200,000 figure is the total pilot funding envelope, not a grant of US$200,000 automatically available to each applicant. Multiple organisations may be selected, and the amount available to an individual organisation has not been officially specified. Applicants should therefore propose a focused, realistic intervention rather than designing a project around the entire envelope. Competitive EOIs should show genuine community relationships, a clearly defined population, practical barriers to lenacapavir access and a credible community-led response. Organisations without specialist HIV expertise may strengthen their approach through technical relationships with health facilities, District Health teams, HIV/SRHR actors or other qualified health partners while retaining genuine community leadership.

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